Bahrain buys folding workboat for naval fleet
WorkFloat has delivered a self-propelled foldable work float to the Kingdom of Bahrain to support its growing naval fleet.
A floating work platform that can be folded away has been built for Bahrain’s naval fleet.by UK builder WorkFloat.
The 12x6m floating platform will be used for support tasks in the port and includes a 10tm crane that can lift just under half a tonne at 13m, a deck load capacity of over 10t, a 2t deck winch that can be used for mooring work, a central moon pool for drilling or GI work, full electrics and navigation, bow loading ramps for military vehicles, spud cans for 10m spud legs, a retractable bow thruster and 2 x 70hp Yamaha high thrust outboards that give 7 knots and 1.2t of bollard pull.
It is also built to the MCA workboat code and complies with relevant class standards for lifting and stability.
The platform can be stowed with all equipment inside a standard shipping container.
WorkFloat won the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ award at Seawork in 2019, which was the last time it could be held in person before lockdowns paralysed the world.
The event will be back on in style in June.
’It is a massive milestone for the business to design, build, deliver and then commission this WorkFloat for the BDF,” said WorkFloat MD and founder Toby Budd.
WorkFloat says it is now designing the next evolution of the system, a modular system named WF1200, which can be jacked up out of the water, will have similar frame structure and floats with a higher payload capacity and bigger crane options.
With its modularity the product is closer in design to the firm’s other product, ScaffFloat.
“The ability to ‘jack up’ has been driven by demand from existing geotechnical, civils and diving clients,” said Budd. “Being so light and easy to mob, the WF1200 system will be able to provide the benefits of a jack up barge on inland waterways, under bridges, landlocked lakes and lochs and other sites that traditional larger jack up barges can’t access.
